afraid

The definition of afraid is to be filled with fear or regret.

(adjective)

The experience of hearing an unfamiliar noise in the middle of the night is an example of afraid.
The feeling someone gets when realizing they can't pay their mortgage is an example of afraid.

See afraid in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

feeling fear; frightened; apprehensive: followed by of, that, or an infinitive: often used informally to indicate regret: I'm afraid I can't go

Origin: ME affraied, pp. of affraien, affray

See afraid in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Filled with fear: afraid of ghosts; afraid to die; afraid for his life.
Having feelings of aversion or unwillingness in regard to something: not afraid of hard work; afraid to show emotion.
Filled with regret or concern. Used especially to soften an unpleasant statement: I'm afraid you're wrong.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English affraied

Origin: , past participle of affraien, to frighten

Origin: , from Old French esfraier, esfreer, to disturb

Origin: , of Germanic origin; see prī- in Indo-European roots

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